By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Olumayowa Akinlola Akogun-Abudu at the declaration of ambition for.Ojo chairmanship candidature 2025 |
Hon. Olumayowa Akinlola Akogun-Abudu, popularly called Mayor, is a military veteran, cooperate security expert, and former Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant in 2023 elections, has declared his intention to contest for the position of local government chairman of Ojo local government under the Labour Party (LP) in 2025.
The declaration of intention was held on Sunday at Ketu, Lagos State, where the party leaders commended his bold efforts.
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| Olumayowa Akinlola Akogun-Abudu and Ojo Labour Party executives |
Hon. Oluwanifemi Elegbede, LP chairman, Ojo local government, said Olumayowa should be careful not to become some representatives that will be working towards dissolving the party Excos and dividing the party members that worked tirelessly for their emergence.
Olumayowa, who was formerly a People's Democratic Party (PDP) member, defected to Labour Party December. He said he served PDP with all he had, putting his life on the line during the 2023 elections, only for the party leaders to see him as a threat and not one of them.
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| Hon. Oluwanifemi Elegbede Labour Party chairman, Ojo local government |
"With the experience I had in PDP I felt cheated however, I never worked against my party, despite that, I was observing the Labour Party from the other side, and I admire the doggedness and courage put through during the election. Several people can testify during the election, I played my part and God did his too. However, after the election, my own party never saw the need to check on me, if I had gone during the election, that would just be the end, but people from Labour Party constantly kept in touch until my recovery.
"I am not a money bag, but what I know about myself is that I'm a weaker person who had never believed in impossibilities, and doesn't see it as an option but sees it as an opportunity for well deserved possibilities.
"I come to you this evening to seek your assistance. If I am given the opportunity to get on the ballot, Ojo LP is winning. I am not saying it in my own capacity, but with the help of everyone coming on board with me, if I'm given the opportunity, I can do better. I plead to this honorable house that I will be faithful, loyal, and steadfast, and the courage will not be shaken." Olumayowa said.
Hon. Oluwanifemi said Labour Party is not after the money of candidates, as "this is not a condition to determine anyone that will represent the people through the party," He further assured the party excos that Olumayowa should be trusted when talking about security for the party members in the Local government. "We, the executives, will stand firm behind you.
"Please, if you're given the opportunity to be there, don't be an ingrate or an opportunist, there's nemesis for everything we do in life. Those who have betrayed us are facing it now." he said.
Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, added that "During the last election, I was instrumental to PDP primary re-election in Ojo constituency, the only place where PDP had re-election in Lagos State. Even after that, they played their game, and I was still loyal to the party. It was while I was defending PDP vote that aided the Labour Party victory for presidential and House of Reps, while PDP won the senatorial."